Who is Randy Dobnak?

Thomas Lott

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Who is Randy Dobnak? image

Who on earth is Randy Dobnak?

First of all, he is starting Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Yankees on Saturday for the Twins.

But where did this guy come from? And how is an unknown 24-year-old making a start over a veteran in Jake Odorizzi, who had a 3.51 ERA in 30 starts this season?

Well, Dobnak is a right-handed pitcher with a 1.59 ERA in nine games (five starts) with the Twins. To boot, the rookie has some awesome facial hair.

But what makes the Uber driver-turned-starter who he is? There's a lot of factors and we put a few things together to give you a better picture.

Randy Dobnak was undrafted

While Dobnak's story now is about his effectiveness at the MLB level in a short period of time, it is driven by this fact: He was undrafted out of Division II Alderson Broadus University in 2017.

And honestly, Dobnak himself wasn't surprised he wasn't selected.

“During college I talked to a few teams, but I don’t think they ever came to see me play,” he said in an interview earlier this year, via SKOR North. “I knew coming into the draft there was a chance, but I wasn’t really expecting it.”

But he decided to keep playing and actually signed to play in independent ball before the Twins offered him a deal. He then went on to pitch in rookie and low-a ball in his first year and posted a 2.43 ERA in six games (four starts).

He is not a power pitcher

As one might expect for a pitcher who had just three offers from colleges (Two Division II and one Division III) coming out of high school, Dobnak is not a fireballer.

He is primarily a sinkerball pitcher who averages 92.3 mph with the pitch.

But with that pitch, he has managed to keep the ball on the ground while keeping his walks down making him surprisingly effective.

“Randy’s got talent, but there’s guys who throw harder, have better stuff, have bigger bodies," Twins scout Bobby Milos told the New York Post. "He’s just made right. There’s a reason we’re giving the ball to him.”

He drives for Uber and Lyft on the side

This isn't a joke: Dobnak could one day be your Uber driver as he works for the company on the side.

It's not surprising considering the Twins signed him to a $2,000 signing bonus in 2017.

But it didn't damper his attitude because apparently he's a very good trip. He has a 4.99 driver rating.

He recently had one of the most interesting two weeks ever

Getting to start in a playoff game is great, but that barely scratches the surface of Dobnak's last two weeks.

On Sept. 26, the Twins clinched the AL Central title.

Four days later, Dobnak got married.

Then he found out he was starting Game 2 of the ALDS.

This has been a wild stretch for Dobnak.

He flew to his wedding in "Dodgeball" attire

The wedding in the middle of the final week of the season was already scheduled ahead of time. He just now happened to be in major leagues, which forced him to make the quick trip and it came on a special day for the Twins.

Before he left for his flight, the Twins had their rookie dress-up day and he happened to be rocking a Purple Cobras outfit.

He got on the plane and flew back totally decked out. You can't make this stuff up.

Luckily for him, the Twins won't be facing any Average Joes in the ALDS. Or unluckily? We're not totally sure.

Thomas Lott